Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Cancer

I have had several friends face the diagnosis and treatment of cancer this year.

And another friend was just recently diagnosed. Stage 3 Intraductal Carcinoma. Breast cancer.

Connie is my friend and affectionately referred to by me as my "partner in crime" from high school. We were very close.

Life separates people as we "grow up" and families are born and jobs take us across the US, far away from each other.

But despite this, you never lose a dear friend, they are always there. And when there is a celebration or a time of need, a friend will be there. No matter what.

Connie has a sweet daughter, Chloe. Her picture is on her blog page, which was set up by Connie's sister as a means of communication to family and friends about her health and treatments. It's also for family and friends to be able to come to a shared spot to give their support and love.

It also accepts financial donations to help offset this pending medical bill.

Connie has already had surgery and is back to work. Further work-up and maybe even additional surgery are pending, and then treatments start. She is positive and optimistic. Who wouldn't be? She has a beautiful daughter to smile with every day.

You don't know Connie. Heck, you may not even know me! Buy I bet you know someone with cancer. Maybe we can help each other, make the world a more loving place. Pay it forward.

If you would like, the blog site is accepting pay pal donations. I personally know that a bunch of little donations, even $10, can add up to a whole lot of help and security for someone, or a family. So, with Connie's reluctant permission, I am making her site available to all who read here. Whether a donation or a prayer, if you wish to help, please do.

3 comments:

I just threw some money their way. They'll probably have no idea who it was or where it came from...but thats kind of the point. Best of luck to her, I visited the blog and it seems so far so good with followup tests and procedures...

My wife recently had Mose surgery for the removal of some skin cancer on her chin. Turned out to be larger than expected, but only local to that area. Prognosis is excellent. When visiting family in Kansas, I learned my cousin was in a difficult battle with a form of leukemia. A frightening number of people in that region of Kansas have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer - most my age or slightly older, but not my mother's generation. There is a question in many minds regarding the affects of the chemicals used in farming as most people in this area are and have been associated with the agriculture industry. Makes one wonder.

About Me

I am an ultra runner, physician and have been medical director of some of the toughest ultras. I tend to be a mover and a shaker and louder than my size suggests. However, my Gemini twin is gentler and contemplative, an artist, a writer, and a poet. I am a dog lover, a believer in souls, and have a special affinity for those who struggle because I have been there.

This is my crazy lovable huggable Weimaraner, Steely Dan. I call him Steely. He left us in January of this year at only 6 years from lymphoma that did not respond to chemotherapy treatments. Steely was a total goof. He loved trail running, road running, treadmill running, new experiences, making eye contact, sleeping on his back, me, kids, and liver treats. He was Zappa's best friend. We miss him dearly.

This is Stella. A rescue from the shelter. She's about 6 months old and a Border Collie. She is a joyous bundle of energy and curiosity and now also Zappa best friend. She will make a nice running partner when she grows up.

This is the now the big brother of my family - a rescued Greyhound. His name is Frank Zappa. I call him Zappa. He's 7 years old and has learned all about life beyond the track and crate from Steely when he was with us. It was very rewarding to watch his personality bloom as he settled into the family. And yes, he runs like the wind!

This is Natasha, my dearest friend. She was with me through college, medical school, residency, and she moved with me from Chicago to Spokane several years ago. She was my best running partner for 10 years. My sweet Natasha died from bone cancer in 2006. I miss her still. I hung a windchimes over the deck outside. When it chimes, I smile and think she has finally -- wherever she is now -- caught a squirrel!